Archive for the Me talking about me Category
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That day I got pampered at Novita Spa

Girl confession time: I’m not that into pampering.

I’ve had exactly 1 massage and 2 pedicures in my entire life, and that’s the extent of my pampering experience. It’s just not really my thing. Massages feel good I guess, if I can get over the small detail about a stranger touching me in almost all the places, and my toes look oh so pretty after a pedicure,if I can get over the fact that another human being is kneeling before me beautifying my horrid toes. But all in all, it’s just not something I have to go do.

That being said, if someone offers me an opportunity to get pampered, you better believe I will take them up on it. In fact, I’m pretty sure that’s the only reason the above three instances even occurred.

The lovely folks over at Novita Spa on the Square in Georgetown asked if I would take advantage of a special facial package they are offering exclusively for Spa Week, April 15 – 21, 2013: a 75 minute Bella Facial Package including their Spa Bella Facial, collagen eye treatment with photo light therapy, and heated hand treatment.

And then I was all, Oh, you know, I’m kinda bus–YES YES YES WHERE DO I SIGN WHEN CAN I COME HOW DO I GET THERE YES YES YES!

So I was on my way. ON my husband’s birthday, no less, but it was totally his idea.

novita spa on the square spa week

Georgetown is a little town outside of Austin with one of those quaint historic downtown squares that are ripe for strolling. Novita Spa is an oasis on the square, a unique experience that specializes in clinical skin care, with an emphasis on pampering. Since I’m not really that used to being pampered, I wasn’t sure what I was in for. Am I the only person on Earth who gets super anxious when she’s supposed to be relaxing?

The cozy, darkened hallway smelled of essential oils, with soothing zen-like music playing over hidden speakers. I was shown into a changing room where I could slip into something a little more comfortable.

Was I supposed to keep my underthings on? Go completely nude? I had no idea, and the lack of wi-fi signal prevented me from asking people who were likely more spa experienced than I (read: Twitter). But I have a feeling there’s no signal in that place. I was supposed to be unwiiiiiinding and relaaaaaaxing, not OMG I CAN’T TWEET MY QUESTIONS ABOUT UNDERWEAR!

spa flip flops novita spa on the square spa week

Before my facial I was invited to hang out in the steam room and sweat out all my worries. It took a little getting used to, but I eventually embraced the stifling heat and relaxed, pretending I was sitting outside while my kids swam in the dead of summer. Because let’s face it, mid-July in Texas isn’t that much cooler.

novita spa on the square spa week

Hanging out in the Serenity Room after I felt I had no more sweat to give in the steam room.

When it was time for my facial, Novita owner Megan DiMartino led me to a room for my procedure. She explained in detail the purpose of Novita Spa. Novita Spa is first and foremost a clinical establishment, focusing on skin care, skin therapy, massage, and more, but still ensuring that their clients feel pampered. I definitely did. Megan performed a 75 minute Bella Facial Package on me, which included the Spa Bella Facial, collagen eye treatment with photo light therapy, and heated hand treatment. She explained each step of the process, and since I don’t know all that much about skin care — my routine hasn’t changed that much since high school, I’m afraid to admit — a lot of it was news to me. She advised me on the importance of exfoliation, a step I have never really made a priority, and explained that most people are doing it all wrong. For example, I always thought that face washes with microbeads were good for exfoliating, but Megan explained that there are more steps to take, such as using a serum with salicylic acid or fruit enzymes.

After a few minutes of steam, heated hand treatments, and quiet time in which I’m pretty sure I fell asleep (no surprise there), the facial was over and it was time to get my makeup done. One of the employees matched me up with foundation, eye shadow, lipstick, and brow color from Novita’s own mineral makeup line. I think the last time I had my makeup done was before my wedding, y’all, and this girl did a much better job.

novita spa on the square spa week

And then my children burst through the door of the building, their shouts echoing throughout the high ceilings and shattering everyone’s sense of zen. Thus my day of pampering was at an end. But you still have a chance!

During Spa Week, Novita Spa is offering two different treatments for $50 each:

  • 75 Min Spring Renewal Body Package including Detox Steam Treatment, Salt Glo Body Polish and Satin Firming Toning Body Gel
  • 75 Min Bella Facial Package including Spa Bella Facial, Detox Steam Treatment, Collagen Eye Treatment with Photo Light Therapy, and Heated Hand Treatment

To view the special Spa Week offerings and to book your treatment, visit the Novita Spa page on spaweek.com. Now go get pampered!

 

I was given a complimentary 75 minute Bella Facial Package in exchange for this post. All other opinions and words and such are my own.

6
See you at the finish line
It’s Friday, almost 1 p.m. This time Saturday I’ll be a certified half marathon finisher. I hope. I’m going through my usual pre-event ritual involving anxiety, crabbiness, and apparent apathy towards all things race related. I think I need to pack a bag since I’m spending the night. I should probably coordinate with my fellow ambassador Missy what time we’re heading out. I need to make sure my playlist is devoid of all songs that make me want to stab someone. This is what I do before big events like this. Yes, this is only my second, but I had the exact same attitude before Tough Mudder — I just wanted it to be over. I told myself I didn’t really want to do it, and I just wanted to fast forward through the day so I wouldn’t have to make a fool of myself when I couldn’t complete the... Continue Reading
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Oh hey, 11 miles, YOU SUCK
I skipped my run today. I didn’t mean to. I didn’t sleep well the night before, with a three year old kicking me for most of the wee morning hours. The big girls started their day arguing about a lost baby bunny. I usually try to turn on some Sesame Street for them so I can go run, but they demanded breakfast. I got dressed in my running clothes, ate my peanut butter toast, put on my shoes, then completely broke down when I couldn’t find my armband. I’m talking Claire Danes ugly cry. I may be a wee bit tired. Or PMSing. ********************* I had my last long run on Saturday, and only one word can describe it: TOTALSUCKAGEOMGITWASAWFUL. I have a confession: I don’t look forward to long runs. I prepare the  best way I know how, by fueling up with some food, hydrating, dressing in my most... Continue Reading
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I was naive. So, so naive.
You know when you’re young and fresh and 18, heading out on that big adventure called college? Leaving home for the first time, we felt like we were making the leap into adulthood. If only. I’m reliving those days a bit over at Letters for Lucas, where Tonya has graciously asked me to share something for her Letters to You series. I decided to take a trip down memory lane and reach out to my young, naive (oh so naive!) freshman in college self. I’m not a huge fan of letters to our younger selves. I think they’re a bit overdone sometimes. But I found I had a lot to say to myself. Mainly, don’t accept that piggy back ride… Go visit me at Tonya’s and you’ll see what I’m talking about.   Tweet... Permalink
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Good runs, bad runs, and the ZOOMA Personal Best Program
So I think the last time I wrote about my ZOOMA Half Marathon training progress, I was a little discouraged, no? Well you all, including my fellow ambassadors, were all so nice and encouraging and group huggy, and it just warmed my cold, black, blergy heart. And you know what? I haven’t really had a terrible run since. I don’t know what was going on that day. Just a bad run, I guess. Everyone had great words of encouragement, most notably to get the $115 shoes I had been fitted for, so that’s on the way, as well as some sexy compression socks I just got in the mail today. Boy did they feel good! Some also suggested jazzing up the playlist. Some offered to get together and run, some advised me to stretch more. My favorite comment was that my feeling discouraged meant I was a real runner, because... Continue Reading
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Activities not meant for introverts
I am an introvert. It’s not uncommon for us online personalities. We flourish behind our keyboards, coming out of our shells on the screen as we type witty status updates, tweets, and thoughtful blog posts. I carry on virtual conversations with the best of them, but put me in front of someone, and I can barely form a coherent thought, much less a sentence. But the reason we’re so good online is not necessarily because we’re shut ins whose pasty indoor skin practically glows in the light of day. It’s because there’s a delete key. A backspace. The opportunity to edit ourselves! Face to face, it’s a little harder to say, “Okay, that sounded inappropriate. Let me just go back and change that. Where is that thesaurus…..” Also, no one is touching us. There are things that classic introverts hate. I despise being in charge of something; I’m a good... Continue Reading
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Reading
Just finished: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. The only reason I hung on throughout this book is because everyone (EVERYONE) said that the first half was a total snore, but if you could get through it, it got good, like REALLY good in the second half. And it did. But I actually have 25 pages to go, because after the meat of the story was done, it got boring again, and I’m just not that interested in finishing it. What so you think, should I give it a go? The movie showed up in my mailbox tonight, and I’m really psyched to ogle Daniel Craig watch it. Currently reading: Bossypants by Tina Fey. I’m loving it.  Tina Fey’s intelligent and understated humor and sarcasm is woven effortlessly with her background and her input on being a female boss in a male driven world . She speaks my language. Only... Continue Reading
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So why DO I run? It’s complicated.
Oh, hey there. I’m just sitting here at my dining room table in my yoga pants, t-shirt, and running shoes. I should note that I have never touched a yoga mat, I don’t remember the last time I “dined” at this table, and well, I’m not being a very good runner lately. I’m starting to think I may be in a little over my head with this whole half marathon thingamajig. Starting with the fact that I don’t really know where to start. A twitter pal suggested the Hal Higdon half marathon training guide, so I googled it (like just now googled it because I am on top of things). Here’s the first line: THE HALF MARATHON IS A FRIENDLY DISTANCE. Oh, Hal. It’s like you don’t even know me. Probably because you don’t. I mean we JUST met through the Googles like 2 minutes ago. I’m wondering if I’ve... Continue Reading
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Running: Not quite a love story, but whatever
I hit the pavement for the first time yesterday since completing the Austin Tough Mudder event. It’s amazing how fast 2 weeks can fly by when you’re not actively training for something. You keep telling yourself things like “Tonight!” and then when tonight comes it’s “Okay, tomorrow then…” and then tomorrow morning comes and since you don’t sleep more than an hour at a time, you’re all “Hahaha, yeah, right, snorrrrrrrre,” and then evening comes and there’s work and grocery shopping and fatigue and “Uhhhh, no.” I keep having to remind myself that I completed “probably the toughest event on the planet.” I can do anything now! Single handedly carry in all those groceries? Pshaw. I carried logs in Tough Mudder, fool! Get the Halloween decorations out of the attic? Puh-lease. Your rickety ladder doesn’t scare this Tough Mudder. Take 3 kids to the pediatrician? Seriously? I’m a Tough Mudder! (Okay... Continue Reading
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Tough Mudder Austin: the course, the takeaway, and lots o’photos
Attention! Tough Mudder Austin recap! It’s long. But it’s also my birthday, so you kinda have to read it, right? Plus there’s pictures! Well, I did it. 12 miles. 28 obstacles. Lots of mud. Lots of water. And I loved every minute of it. Well, almost. All jokes aside, I seriously did almost back out of this thing. I didn’t feel like I was training enough, and I envisioned myself being left in the dust by a bunch of elite athletes like my sister in law Michelle. I just didn’t want to do it. But then the old hubby gave me a pep talk, something about really wanting to do this with me, wanting to cross the finish line with me and say, “Hey — look what my wife and I did together.” Okay, fine, you win, you sap! We could not have asked for a more beautiful October day... Continue Reading
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